I learnt, the Perth region is prone to and is experiencing the fastest impact from climate change in

the world. Changes occurring are sea level rises, less rain fall, declining ground water, more severe
droughts and hasher bush fires. The impact is creating less annual rainfall, which has led to the over
use of surface water reserves, which has led to the use of bore water, which is not being
replenished. 

To rectify the decreasing water problem, the WA government has put together a committee of 7
governmental entities, such as the Water Cooperation, Development WA, Metronet, etc, to put a
state action plan in place. The state action plan is to create a Water Wise City or a Water Sensitive
City, and to lead the world in the application of this plan and benefits arising from it. Water Wise City
action plan has been going for 2 years and spans over 10 years, ending in 2030. To achieve a Water
Wise City, plans have been put in place to reuse water, create more vegetation and shaded areas,
educational plans to connect people to the water and change habits, such as shorter 4min showers
and showing the benefits of being water wise such as cheaper water bills. Incentive plans for taps,
fittings and leak detection have been implemented throughout the city of Perth and region. This is a
broad plan which incorporates household and buildings, precinct and suburb (such as open space)
and city and planning guidelines, such as government setting restrictions. 

Perth has implemented the Waterwise City Benchmark Index, where Perth is one of the first cities to
use it and acting upon it. As a result, Perth has put into place a plan for 3 desalination plants and a
ground water replenishment scheme. The resulting actions should lead to a saving in water and
rebalancing of the Guanagara ground water system.

Metronet have implemented the WA Climate Policy for transport. This will incorporate the
Waterwise Perth Action Plan for all there stations and precincts. Metronet sustainability strategy will
reduce water use by 70% and have a 97% potable water replenishment scheme. Development WA
are implementing permeable paving, water harvesting tree pits and swales. Incorporating tree green
screens to create a urban canopy have shown benefits. Household Lots have had land management
audits conducted on sprinklers and fixtures. Household studies have shown 60% of water is used
outdoors watering gardens and the major source of water use in doors are showers and water leaks. 
Educational programs have been put in place to change behaviours resulting in 40% less water use
and reducing water bills by 25%, showing small scale differences can have significant impacts.

The webinar has given me an appreciation for the challengers Perth faces with changing climate,
water being one of which will have the biggest impact. I gained an understanding how Perth is
combating these changed and small changes locally can have major impacts. It was interesting to see
how decisions in one governmental entity was passed on to the other entities. This was achieved by
way of meeting, emails and lots of phone calls